After a very tight race Ricky Brabec finished just seconds ahead of Ross Branch to win the moto class in the 2024 Dakar Rally. Brabec got a final of 38 points totals, bringing home the overall trophy for the Americans. This is Brabec’s second win. Brabec last won the rally in 2020. A technical issue forced him out of last year’s race.
It’s a nice way to start the year with a victory,” Brabec said at the finish. “It wasn’t easy as the course was really tough and so was the competition. Ross and my own team kept me on my toes, but not just me, I think we were keeping everyone on each other’s toes. It was definitely a fight to the end for everyone. I’m happy for all of us, we did an excellent job all of the two weeks. I think number 9 will be my lucky number from now on.”
Over in the car class, Carlos Sainz had an early overall lead and stayed there all the way to the finish. Sainz who started racing at the Dakar Rally now becomes the oldest winner in the history of the event. Sainz has won the event at least five times.
In the Challenger class, Mitch Guthrie Jr was leading overall until he wasn’t. A heartbreaking mechanical issue would shut Guthrie down for over an hour. He lost the lead and overall race to Cristina Gutierrez. Frenchman Xavier De Soultrait took the overall win in the SSV class. Sara Price finished an impressive fourth for her efforts.
Images Courtesy of A.S.O & Team Honda HRC
